Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The framework for broadcasting regulation is designed to protect the independence of the media by preventing interventions by Government or Ministers, particularly the Minister with responsibility for the media, in programming decisions or programming content. As I said, that is outlined in section 98 of the Broadcasting Act.

The provisions to prevent the Government of the day from intervening in programme content broadcast on Irish television or radio necessarily and rightly limits the degree to which I can comment on individual terms of content. That is a vital principle that underpins the freedom of the media in our country and, in particular, the freedom of our public service broadcasters.

That said, I acknowledge that it can be uncomfortable and frustrating at times.

As I set out in my initial reply, there is a robust regulatory framework in place requiring broadcasters to adhere to appropriate standards and practices. I understand that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media issued a statement yesterday indicating that it does not propose to hold a meeting to consider the broadcasts in question in recognition of the rights of the complainants to be afforded due process in proceedings. It is also important that I as Minister do not intervene in any regulatory decisions of the BAI and allow the process to operate as designed.

I repeat that as a general principle it is important that we conduct our national conversations in a spirit of respect and in recognition of the fundamental dignity of all our people. We must be cognisant of the words we use and how we use them and that is all the more important when we are speaking about a small and vulnerable minority in our society.

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